Second American falls to death from ledge in Rosarito resort, angering families – Press Telegram

Another American tourist died after falling from a third-story ledge at the same Mexican beach hotel where Orange County Deputy Public Defender Elliot Blair fell to his death in January 2023.

Joshua Palmer, 41, of Lodi, accidentally fell from the outdoor walkway at Las Rocas Resort and Spa in Rosarito on Tuesday, October 29, reminds me of Blair who, according to police, also jumped from a third-story windowsill. A Mexican newspaper reported that Palmer died after being taken to a nearby hospital.

The deaths of Blair and Palmer sparked accusations from their families of neglect by the popular seaside resort.

“The news of Joshua’s death … opens the wounds of the loss of my beloved husband Elliot and shakes me to my core,” said Kimberly Williams Blair, who is also an assistant public defender. “How many more American tourists have to die or be seriously injured before action is taken to stop this? It is time for the US-based Las Rocas Resort and Spa to take responsibility and take action to prevent the tragedies that continue to occur on their property.”

Las Rocas resort did not respond to two emails seeking comment.

Elliot Blair was 33 years old and celebrating his first wedding anniversary found dead under the open walkway outside his hotel room 308 on January 14, 2023. Mexican authorities said the fall was related to alcohol consumption and classified it as an accident.

Kimberly Blair and her family suspect so brutally killed, but they have come to terms with the fact that they will never know for sure. Some of their suspicions stem from: steam shock by Rosarito police during an arrest hours before Blair’s death.

Mexican autopsy photos show scratches on Blair’s legs as if he had been dragged. Additionally, Blair had 40 fractures to the back of his skull, which family members say is concerning because he was found face down.

According to ex-wife Kris Palmer, Palmer’s death appears to be accidental. She said Joshua Palmer was talking to a friend while walking in the hotel hallway when he fell backwards off a ledge near his room in 307, Kris Palmer said.

She wondered why there was no handrail and why the little railing wasn’t higher, especially after Elliot Blair’s death.

“These are deaths that should never have happened,” Kris Palmer said. “There’s no railing, it’s less than half the wall.”

Joshua Palmer, a globe-trotting tattoo artist known for his freehand style, came to Southern California looking for work and decided to make a short trip to Rosarito. His ex-wife stated that he really liked this seaside town and had been there several times.

Palmer was described as a free spirit, a dreamer who “had more dreams and plans.” He went on long motorcycle trips and was a martial arts enthusiast who practiced jujitsu with his two teenage sons, Wesley and Dean. His ex-wife stated that he was an open book.

“If you knew Josh, you felt like you KNEW Josh,” Kris Palmer said. “He just wanted to live, so it’s really unfair. He had so much life in him.”

As with Elliot Blair, Joshua Palmer’s family is fighting back Mexican bureaucracytrying to recover his body and take it home. They founded, among others: GoFundMe page, asking for donations to help with this endeavor. As of Friday afternoon, $48,739 in donations had been received, surpassing the $10,000 goal.

Originally published: November 1, 2024 at 5:07 pm PDT